The Caerphilly Town 2035 project aims to revitalize the town centre, inviting residents to participate in shaping its future.
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The Caerphilly Town 2035 initiative is about to hit a major milestone, and local residents are being invited to play a crucial role in shaping its future. This transformative plan aims to boost investment and breathe new life into the town center, making it a lively hotspot for everyone—residents and visitors alike.
Key Achievements and Future Plans
Since launching, the Caerphilly Town 2035 project has made impressive progress. Notable highlights include the opening of the Ffos Caerffili market, which features a unique shipping container design, and the recent upgrades to visitor facilities at the iconic Caerphilly Castle.
These developments are just the beginning of a larger transformation aimed at enhancing the town’s appeal.
Looking ahead, the next phase of this multimillion-pound redevelopment will zero in on the upper part of the town, with fresh consultations already in motion.
These discussions are designed to engage key community groups, particularly those who often get overlooked, like young families and marginalized populations. Isn’t it vital that everyone has a say in their community?
A spokesperson for the Caerphilly County Borough Council stressed the importance of community input: “The Caerphilly Town 2035 plan has been bringing ambitious revitalization to make Caerphilly the very best place to live, work, and visit it possibly can. To build on our success further, we are once again asking for your input to create the Caerphilly you want to see.” This inclusive strategy shows a real commitment to ensuring that every voice is heard in the planning process.
Engagement Opportunities for Residents
This August, there will be private engagement sessions with various groups throughout the town. Following these sessions, a public finale event is set for Saturday, September 6, at Y Banc, the former Barclays building, along with exciting activities planned at Stockland and Windsor Squares off Cardiff Road. The engagement campaign kicked off earlier in August with an event in partnership with Valley Daffodils, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and additional learning needs.
Ceri Hooper, founder and chairperson of Valley Daffodils, praised the initiative, saying, “It’s really encouraging – and important – to see inclusivity built into the plans for Caerphilly Town 2035. Census data indicates Caerphilly has one of the highest proportions of disabled adults in Wales. This makes it even more important that this demographic is consulted and included in any plans that will affect the day-to-day of all who live in, work in, and visit Caerphilly.” This insight underscores the necessity of considering diverse community needs in urban planning.
Broader Vision for Caerphilly
The Caerphilly Town 2035 initiative isn’t just about the town center. It aims to modernize the railway and bus stations into a public transport interchange, construct a new leisure center off Van Road, and develop a residential complex on Pentrebane Street. However, not everyone is on board; the Plaid group within the council argues that the focus should be on celebrating the town’s heritage rather than pushing for demolition.
Despite these concerns, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Cllr Jamie Pritchard, believes that the council’s efforts are starting to bear fruit. He commented, “A new market, the redevelopment of the top of town, a new leisure center, massive investment in the castle plus plans for a cultural center and new hotel, are all wrapped up in a defined Caerphilly placemaking plan. The large bulk of the finance is coming from outside council funds, but we are there to help drive it.” This statement highlights the collaborative effort to secure external funding for the project.
Cllr Pritchard also reassured the community that the local authority is committed to similar revitalization strategies for other areas, including Bargoed and Blackwood. He remarked, “We can see positive things happening when putting plans together,” indicating a forward-thinking approach to urban development in the borough. Are you ready to be part of this exciting journey?
